So, imagine Italy at the end of the 19th century, sunny, lively, with streets filled with the aromas of fresh herbs, tomatoes and olive oil. Pizza was already popular in Naples then, but it was just poor people's food, simple tortillas with various fillings that were eaten on the go.
And so, in 1889, King Umberto I of Italy and his wife, Queen Margarita of Savoy, decided to visit Naples. To treat the queen, a local pizzaiolo (that is, the one who makes pizza) named Raffaele Esposito decided to do something special. He made a pizza that would symbolize the colors of the Italian flag: red fresh tomatoes, white creamy mozzarella, and green fragrant basil.
The Queen was delighted! She liked this simple but incredibly delicious pizza so much that she gave her name to this dish Margarita. That's how a small gesture of inspiration and a desire to please your beloved turned into a recipe that is now known and loved all over the world.
I think it's very romantic. Every time I cook or eat pizza Margarita, I feel like I'm part of this warm story, so simple but very touching.